Miami, Florida, July 6, 2009 – Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor is proud to congratulate Armando Rosario of Las Vegas as the 2009 winner of The United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) National Cocktail Competition. Sponsored by Beam Global Spirits & Wine and its Tres Generaciones® Tequila, Mr. Rosario—who works for Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada in Las Vegas—won the title “Best Bartender in America” for his cocktail creation, Real Dill, featuring Tres Generaciones® Plata Tequila. Bartender Daniel Love of Chicago won second place for his cocktail, “Aztec Gold,” while mixologist Ricky Gomez of New Orleans was awarded third place for his cocktail, “The Real Pepper Daisy.” The contest in San Francisco was held on May 12, 2009.

Brad Vassar, Executive Vice President, General Manager of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. said, “On behalf of Southern Wine & Spirits of America we want to congratulate Armando, Mr. Love, and Mr. Gomez on their award-winning cocktail creations with Tres Generaciones® Tequila. Armando is one of Southern’s 9 Master Mixologists, and this is exactly the kind of creativity and professional commitment that Southern seeks to promote in the fields of Mixology and server training.”

David Nepove, USBG National Vice President, said: “The 2009 USBG National Cocktail Competition was a great success. We were able to watch the top bartenders in action as they mixed with Tres Generaciones®. We congratulate Armando on his award and look forward to what he will create for the international competition this coming August, in Berlin, Germany.

According to USBG and Beam Global, judging for the 2009 “Best Cocktail” was based on aroma, taste, balance, originality and garnish. In addition, the USBG judges bestowed a “Best Technical” prize to Ronaldo Colli for his expertise in managing his bar, bottles, glassware and bar tools.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America:
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. In addition, Southern has announced a pending strategic arrangement with Glazer’s Family of Companies in the center of the country—resulting in the prospective addition of an incremental 8 markets to Southern’s existing footprint. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com